Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength Bottled At 61.7% ABV For Committee Release

Ardbeg has unveiled a cask-strength edition of its Ardbeg Ten, bottled at 61.7% ABV. The release follows more than 20 years of requests from members of the Ardbeg Committee. It marks the highest strength of any Committee Release to date.

The Islay distillery matured the whisky in hand-selected American oak bourbon casks. In addition, some barrels were filled with undiluted spirit at an unusually high strength. As a result, the bottling delivers elevated intensity while maintaining the classic Ardbeg Ten profile.

Ardbeg has produced whisky on the Scottish island of Islay for more than 200 years. Its Ten Years Old expression remains the flagship of the distillery’s smoky style. Previously, a limited cask-strength edition appeared in Japan in 2003, which increased demand among Committee members.

Dr Bill Lumsden led the whisky creation alongside the distillery team. They selected casks that would enhance both smoke and sweetness. Consequently, the final whisky presents amplified aromas and flavours while retaining balance.

Master Blender Gillian MacDonald said: “This cask-strength Ardbeg Ten is a momentous celebration of our Distillery’s classic style. Created by Dr Bill and myself from casks filled with newmake spirit at a higher-than-usual strength, it has all the flavours Committee members know and love, infused with a new intensity. Those who are lucky enough to lay their hands on a bottle will find aromas of toffee, tar, with classic notes of fennel and sea spray, and sweet sooty tastes of peat moss, malt and smoked cinnamon – amplified in an unforgettable dram. Slàinte to our Committee!”

Distillery Manager Bryony McNiven said: “Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength is arguably one of the most wanted Ardbegs ever. It’s fantastic to finally be sharing it with the Committee. What a dram – a perfect balance of wood smoke, citrus sweetness and salt.”

This release is the first Committee edition introduced during the tenure of the new Co-Chairs, Gillian MacDonald and Bryony McNiven. Furthermore, it continues the Committee tradition established in 2000 to safeguard the future of the distillery. Today, the Committee includes more than 200,000 members across over 140 countries.

Tasting Notes And Release Details

Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength carries an ABV of 61.7% and presents a pale gold colour. On the nose, it offers rich, earthy smoke with notes of toffee, tar, creosote, coffee grounds and sea spray. Subtle hints of vanilla and lime appear, while water reveals fennel and bonfire embers.

On the palate, the texture is mouth-filling and spicy. Initially, intense sweetness emerges, reminiscent of smoked cinnamon and paprika. Subsequently, waves of soot, tar, peat moss and woodsmoke develop, balanced by gentle malty and biscuity notes.

The finish is mentholated and cooling, with hints of eucalyptus and antiseptic lozenges.

Ardbeg Ten Cask Strength is priced at $155 AUD. It will be available exclusively to Ardbeg Committee members online and in Embassies from 24th February 2026. A limited number of bottles will also be available for purchase at the distillery on Islay.